Electromechanical device for the production of an electrical signal



v. PICCAND 3,537,050 ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION Oct. 27, 1970 OF AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL Filed 0ct.-- 18, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v. PICCAND 3,537,050 ELEOTROMECHANICAL DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 18, 1967 2'1 1 .wf j

United States Patent 3,537,050 ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE FOR THE PRO- DUCTION OF AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL Victor Piccand, Geneva, Switzerland, assignor to Sen Electronique, Geneva, Switzerland, a firm of Switzerland Filed Oct. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 676,212 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Oct. 18, 1966, 15,058/ 66 Int. Cl. H01f 21/00 US. Cl. 336-110 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electromechanical device for the production of an electrical signal comprising a magnetic armature having an induction coil, and comprising two parts, one of an E configuration with a longitudinal bore through the central leg thereof in which a pushing pin is disposed for displacing the other armature part movable relative to the first armature part in order to open and close, respectively, the armature, whereby an abrupt variation of the magnetic flux is obtained, thereby inducing in the induction coil a tension impulse controlling an electric signal.

The present invention relates to an electro-mechanical device for the production of an electric signal.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an electro-mechanical device for the production of an electric signal which includes a push button switch without electric contact and permitting the production of a unique impulse excluding any incidental variation at an elevated frequency.

Such push-button switch, called one shot switch is designed primarily for permitting of a manual intervention in logic circuits.

It is designed mainly for the control step by step of impulse generators, the injection unit by unit in electronic meters, the feeding of information in sequential devices of impulsion control, and the advance, step by step of synchronous devices (for a clockwork), for the purpose of vertifying its function.

The electromechanical device, according to the present invention, is characterized by the fact that it comprises a magnetic armature consisting of a permanent magnet and forming a magnetic core of an induction coil. The armature comprises two relatively movable parts capable of being displaced one relative to the other, for opening or closing the armature for the purpose of obtaining a strong variation of the magnetic flux in order to induce in the coil a tension impulse constituting or controlling an electric signal. The armature further comprises a central column operating as the magnetic core and two lateral columns disposed on opposite sides of the central column and forming two parallel magnetic circuits. The two parts are separated from each other along the contact surfaces between the parts cutting the three columns. One of the armature parts has the general configuration of an E, having three leg portions while the other of the armature parts constitutes a closing member and rests on the extremities of the three leg portions of the E and disposed in the same plane. The central of the three leg portions has a longitudinal bore and a pushing pin is disposed in the longitudinal bore and adapted to displace the closing member.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention;

3,537,050 Patented Oct. 27, v1970 FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation of a device performing according to the circuit diagram of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e are circuit diagrams disclosing different applications of the circuit diagram disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are circuit diagrams of different applications of the third embodiment disclosed in FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the present invention is disclosed which comprises terminals C and E and which embodiment is designed to produce an electric signal between the terminals C and E.

As indicated in FIG. 2 oi the drawings, the device comprises an electromechanical drive member 1 which includes an induction coil Z disposed in the base-circuit of a transistor T, for instance of the NPN type (FIG. 1). A resistance R is connected in parallel with the coil Z, in order to settle down possible oscillations in the latter.

The electromechanical drive member 1 comprises two permanent magnets 12 on opposite parts of a central column 14, The later constitutes the magnetic core of the coil Z, the winding 13 of which is shown in FIG. 2. Two armature parts are provided. One of the armature parts has the general configuration of an E having three leg portions, while the other of the armature parts constitutes a closing member and rests on the extremities of the three leg portions of the E and is disposed in the same plane.

The column 14 is integral or connected with an arm 16 which carries the two permanent magnets 12 and a movable element 17 closes the magnetic circuit, so that three columns are provided in the armature.

The element 17 constitutes the movable part of the armature, which element 17 can be displaced by means of a pin 18 of non-magnetic material and reciprocating in an axial bore of the column 14. The pin 18 is operated by a button 8 operatively connected with this pin by means of a helical spring 20. The device is disposed in a casing 11 (shown in FIG. 1) which limits the displacement of the element 17. Upon opening of the armature, three gaps are formed simultaneously in the three columns of the armature. If a pressure is exerted from above, downwardly on the button 8, the spring 20 is progressively tensioned up to the moment when the exerted force overcomes the resistance of the element 17 magnetically urged to the columns 12. Due to the release, the element 17 separates suddenly from the column 12. The opening of the armature provokes a sudden weakening of the magnetic flux, which has the elfect of inducing in the coil Z an electrical impulse which is transmitted to the base of the transistor,

The direction of the winding 13 is chosen such to produce upon opening the magnetic circuit, a positive tension impulse at the base of the transistor T (with an NPN transistor).

The button 8 projects from the case 11 and the connection of the device is brought about by means of the two terminals C and E. The operation of the button 8 does not provoke any spark and the magnetic circuit is the only circuit to be opened, so that the device can be used in inflammable surroundings.

The impulse appearing on the collector of the transistor T is unique for each operation. In this manner, the signal can be utilized directly in electronic circuits, without necessity to eliminate the characteristical bounces of metallic contacts.

The device, the circuit of which is disclosed in FIG. 1, can be inserted in two fundamental modes of utiliza- 3 tion, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The signal forms obtained by operation of the button 8 are indicated next to the corresponding circuits disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively.

It is also possible to utilize the device disclosed in FIG. 1 in respective logic circuits disclosed in FIGS. 5a, 5 b, 50, 5d and 5e.

In the circuit disclosed in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the device controls the release of a balance and an oscillator, respectively.

In the circuits disclosed in FIGS. 50 and 5d, the device controls OR circuits for negative and positive impulses, respectively.

Finally, in the circuit disclosed in FIG. 5e, the device controls a circuit of inhibition.

With the circuit of FIG. 1, one can obtain the time periods of the impulse of the order of a few tenths of Referring now again to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of the circuit is disclosed, wherein one can obtain shorter time periods, of the order of 5 to 20 of a nanosecond, which are necessary for the control of logic installations.

In the circuit of FIG. 6, the transistor T is connected with an induction coil Z in a manner to form a block oscillator with base-emitter reaction. The reaction is built up by the variation of the flux upon release of the mobile armature. This arrangement presents, in addition to the shortened time period, all advantages of the circuit of FIG. 1, but restrained slightly in the liberty of dimensioning the output circuit.

Referring now again to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 7, a third embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, wherein the electronic member is constituted by an SCR diode D. This arrangement is interesting for important outputs.

For IN-OUT controls, one can utilize the arrangement of FIG. 7 alone, upon arranging another member for cutting the charging current (FIG. 9) or by pair (FIG. 8).

In the last-mentioned circuit (FIG. 8), the cut-out circuit, that means the extinction of the controlled diode is effected by the impulse of the current obtained by the discharge of a condenser C In a variation, illustrated in FIG. 10, three push-buttons 22, 23 and 24 control three members RL RL and RL and the connection of any one of these members provokes the disconnection of the one which functioned before.

In the devices according to the present invention, the impulse produced in the induction coil is employed for control of an electronic element, the transistor T or the diode D. In the variations, this impulse can be utilized directly for the control of relays and other electric elements.

The performance of the device according to the present invention in the environment conditions and the absence of a switching spark permits also to replace traditional solutions in corrosive and explosive atmospheres.

With the reduction of the power level supplied by the ing does not exist any more with the device of the present invention, which permits the control with great security of the numerous integrated circuits, as indicated in the different given examples.

While I have disclosed several embodiments of the present invention it is to be understood that these embodiments are given by example only and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the present invention being determined by the objects and the claims.

I claim:

1. An electromechanical device for the production of an electrical signal comprising:

a magnetic armature having at least one permanent magnet and a magnetic core including at least one induction coil,

said magnetic armature comprising two parts movable relative to each other, in order to open and close, respectively, said armature, whereby an abrupt variation of the magnetic flux is obtained, thereby inducing in said induction coil a tension impulse controlling an electric signal,

said armature comprising a central column operating as said magnetic core and two lateral columns disposed on opposite sides of said central column and forming two parallel magnetic circuits,

said two parts being separated from each other along the contact surfaces between said parts cutting said three columns,

one of said armature parts has the general configuration of an E having three leg portions, while the other of said armature parts constituting a closing member and resting on the extremities of said three leg portions of said E and disposed in the same plane,

the central of said three leg portions has a longitudinal bore, and

a pushing pin is disposed in said longitudinal bore and adapted to displace said closing member.

2. The device, as set forth in claim 1, which includes:

a spring-biased pushing member for displacing and controlling the movement of said pushing pin, and

said spring being tensioned upon operation of said pushing member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,439,711 4/ 1948 Bovey 33 630 2,563,899 8/1951 Wiancko 336- 2,657,374 10/1953 Bardeen 33630 2,856,591 10/1958 White et al. 3361l0 3,005,158 10/1961 Spinrad 336110 3,087,076 4/1963 Pingry 307309 3,390,668 7/1968 Hufton 307309 JOHNS. HEYMAN, Primary Examiner H. A. DIXON, Assistant Examiner U.S. c1. X.R. 307--248, '309'; 336-134 

